Joe Thornton assisted on Brent Burns' game-winning goal Thursday vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins, giving him 1,080 for his NHL career

Share this:

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 3: San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton (19) talks to a referee during their game against the Washington Capitals in the first period at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Joe Thornton said Friday it was special to get a text from Hall of Fame player Adam Oates after the Sharks beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in overtime the night before.

Thornton assisted on Brent Burns’ goal with 2:58 left in overtime, giving the Sharks a 3-2 victory on Thursday in their second game of a five-game road trip. The assist was the 1,080th of Thornton’s career, moving him past Oates into seventh place on the NHL’s all-time assist list.

“I watched him growing up,” Thornton said of Oates. “He was just one of the best, obviously, ever. I got to know him over the years and just an incredible guy, too. It’s special when you pass a guy you get to know and one of your idols growing up. Very exciting.”

Thornton felt the same way in April when he tied and passed Steve Yzerman on the NHL’s all-time assist list. Thornton wears No. 19 in honor of Yzerman, who had 1,063 assists in a 22-year Hall of Fame career.

Oates, 57, played 1,337 games over 19 NHL seasons from 1985 to 2004 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012.

One of the greatest undrafted free agents to ever play in the league, Oates had at least 60 assists in a season 10 times, including a career-high 97 with the Boston Bruins in 1992-93.

Oates was perhaps most famous for his prolific partnership with Brett Hull with the St. Louis Blues from 1989 to 1992. Oates had 228 assists in just 195 games with the Blues before he was traded to the Bruins, where he helped Cam Neely reach his third 50-goal season in 1993-94.

“I watched him pass all those years to Hull and then to Cam,” Thornton said. “To be in the top 10 in assists all time, it’s something special. I remember playing road hockey or playing in the back yard on the ice, you were Adam Oates sometimes.

“He actually texted me (Thursday) night to congratulate me on passing him. It’s very surprising, but he’s such a good guy. it wasn’t surprising.”

Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

Defenseman Paul Coffey is sixth on the NHL’s career assist list with 1,135. Thornton has a goal and three assists in his last four games and 16 points this season going into Saturday’s game with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Thornton on Friday practiced on a line with Marcus Sorensen and Kevin Labanc as it appears the Sharks will keep the same lines and defense pairs they had vs.the Penguins intact for Saturday’s game.

The Sharks entered Friday in 13th place in the Western Conference, eight points back of a playoff spot. After Saturday, the Sharks continue their road trip Sunday against the Washington Capitals and wrap it up Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.

Winger Joachim Blichfeld, who was recalled by the Sharks on Monday before they left for their road trip, was named to the AHL All-Star Classic on Jan. 26-27 in Ontario. In 24 games with the Barracuda this season, Blichfeld, 21, had 22 points, including a team-leading 11 goals.

Blichfeld was drafted in 2016 by the Sharks in the seventh round, and was named the WHL’s Player of the Year last season when he had 53 goals and 61 assists with the Portland Winterhawks.